//------------------------------// // The Face of a Liar // Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic -- Off The Record // by The King of Hearts //------------------------------// //// The Face of a Liar //// Twilight stood at Trixie’s door and gave her a sympathetic smile, “I’ll talk to Cadence for you, she must just be grumpy from all the work this wedding has been.” “I’d appreciate that,” She smiled back to her friend, as she sat herself back down on her bed, “Am I not even going to be allowed to come to wedding tonight?” “I’ll clear everything up, don’t worry.” Twilight said reassuringly as she opened the door, “I’m meeting Alpha for lunch, but as soon as I’m done with him, I’ll find Cadence. Just sit tight.” Trixie would have preferred that she do it instantly, but she was far beyond her old-self, who would have demanded Twilight do it now, “I’ll see you soon then.” Twilight flashed her a smile as she opened the door, and closed it behind her. Yawning loudly, the purple pony headed back down the way she came, hoping that that she could knock this problem out of the park before it started to interfere with her other jobs as the wedding planner. She did not have any energy for all of this… Why did Shining Armor have to get married tonight? Couldn’t he have waited for her to get over these sleeping problems? What a jerk! Reaching the main entrance of the dormitory, Twilight stepped out the door and started making her way to the castles restaurant. “Twilight!” Alpha’s voice said from behind her, as she reached the top of the stairs, “I was just on my way to meet you.” “Oh, hey!” She chirped, turning to him as a jolt of energy shot through her body, before noticing a strange look on his face, “Is something the matter?” “Huh?” Alpha asked, his face snapping back to something she would call a little more ‘normal,’ “Oh, It’s nothing. I’m just starving.” “Well, let’s go then!” Twilight said, quickly gluing herself to his side, “I’m dying for some hay fries.” Alpha looked away from her as his conflicted look returned, “S-so, how was your sleep last night? I hope you got a little bit more rest.” “It wasn’t great.” Twilight shook her head, her voice quieting a bit, “I wound up taking Fluttershy’s offer to sleep with her.” “Did that do much?” He asked, looking back to her with a sympathetic look, his conflicted feelings quelled for a moment “No.” Twilight shook her head slowly, looking up to him, “I… I slept much better when you were with me.” Alpha, in a performance that would have given any professional actor a run for their money, didn’t even flinch as he felt a cinderblock of guilt slam down on his chest. “A-and… if you were okay with it... maybe we could do that a little more when we get back to Ponyville?” Twilight asked, with a blush so bright it could be seen from outer space, “I don’t wanna be weird! I mean, I just— I feel really safe.” “I… Don’t know about that…” Alpha said, his voice only showing strain for a moment, “Maybe we should just take a step back for a second, Twilight.” Feeling her heart sink in to her stomach, Twilight immediately broke her connection with him, “I’m so sorry!” She apologized instantly, as she created an even larger gap between them, “I didn’t mean to—I… Um, Oh! I forgot, that… that I promised Trixie I would find Cadence! I should really go and do that!” Alpha didn’t say anything as Twilight instantly took off in the opposite directions of where they had been going. She wasn’t even going to where Princess Cadence would probably be. All that mattered was that she get away from this terribly embarrassing situation as quick as possible. Running inside her old room in the castle, Twilight instantly closed the door behind her. From there, she finally gave her head a moment to catch up. How could she have misread things between the two of them so badly? Hadn’t he been after her since Haven Station? How many times had he flirted with her? Or tried to ask her out on a date? And All those times she knew he was staring at her butt? “Am I really that… stupid?” She muttered to herself, sniffling lightly as she felt a tear run down her cheek, “The student of Princess Celestia can’t even tell when a colt likes her?!” Exhaling shortly, she closed her eyes and let a few tears run down her cheeks. Why did boys have to be so stupid… //// Alpha watched the mare he cared for run away, and fought every instinct to run after her, and take her up on her offer. Because if there was one thing in this world that he wanted… it was just that. However, duty must be placed above all else. “What’s gotten in to her?” A voice asked from behind him, as he turned, and instantly froze, “Can’t girls be so… dramatic?” In front of him, stood Princess Cadence. The princess of ‘love.’ That is, to the untrained eye. “Alpha,” She said, as a smile crossed her pink lips, “I’m impressed that you managed to get that mare under your spell.” “My queen.” He said instantly, lowering his head just enough for it to be considered a ‘bow,’ “I didn’t think I’d see you again.” “How could you think that?” She said, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes, “You’ve become the single greatest sleeper agent in the history of the hive. And they even knew you were a changeling!” Alpha looked around cautiously, she was using a measure of volume at the moment, and he didn’t want anypony overhearing them. “Which, is why I’ve come to give you your next task.” She said, levitating a saddlebag off of her back, and on to his, “Inside of that bag, are several miniature sized versions of our magic blockers that you used at Haven Station. They must be placed on every pony here that presents a significant threat. Alex, Twilight Sparkle, the Princesses… And anypony else you deem necessary. Their use at Haven Station may have been a failure... But I must admit, you proved their usefulness to me.” Levitating one of the devices out of his bag, he inspected it. It was miniscule, clear, and covered in some kind of adhesive that would keep it stuck to its host. “Make sure it’s done close to the ceremony.” ‘Cadence’ said, closing the distance between them, “I don’t need anypony washing it off before the right moment comes.” Alpha nodded once, as she gave him a small, sick smile. “I have only one more command for you, Alpha.” She said, as she looked at the building Twilight had just exited from, “I need you to deal with her friend.” “Which friend?” Alpha asked, needing a little more clarification. “That blue unicorn. Her name escapes me.” ‘Cadence’ said, her tone poisonous as she thought back to the perceptive mare, “She was able to tell that I was holding a spell over myself. I do not need her ruining the big surprise.” “What should I do with her?” Alpha asked, regretting the question instantly. “You’re an Alpha.” She replied instantly, anger lacing her tone, “Your job is to impress me. So, why don’t you do that by solving your own problems?” Alpha nodded quickly. “I apologize.” “Good boy.” She said, brushing her hoof down his cheek, “You’re viewed as a hero at the colony right now… Do these things for me, and you’ll join me at my side as my Omega.” Alpha nodded once again, as she walked past him. “I’ll see you at the ceremony, Alpha. Or… is it Omega?” She chuckled, walking away, as Alpha turned and smiled confidently to her, his face quelling any doubt she had in him. “I’ll go pay her friend a visit. You won’t be hearing from her again.” Chrysalis didn’t answer. She only continued on her path. This day is going to be perfect.